Marine Notice No. 06 of 2021
Notice to all Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishers, Yachtsmen and Seafarers
1. Notice of Activity
The Department of Transport has been advised that the Dublin Array Wind Farm Project will start operations on 9 February 2021 and will continue work until 11 May 2021, weather permitting. The works will consist of geophysical surveys to characterise the Dublin Array offshore array and export cable search area, with the latter being intended to provide options for export cables routes to possible landfall options in the area of Shanganah Park and Poolbeg.
2. Location of Activity
The Dublin Array Wind Farm is a project on the Kish and Bray banks, approximately 10 km off the east coast of Ireland, immediately south of Dublin. The coordinates of the survey area, are as follows:
3. Details of Survey Vessels
A total of 4 vessels will be working on the project.
3.1. The Fugro Mercator
The Fugro Mercator (callsign: C6DU5) will undertake geophysical operations at the Dublin Array site in water depths >7 metres between 12 February and 11 May 2021 (weather permitting). Survey operations will be conducted on a 24-hour basis in Area 3 shown in Appendix 1.
As the Fugro Mercator will be towing survey equipment the vessel will require large turning circles and will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. All vessels operating within this area are requested to keep their distance, maintaining at least the 1,000m safety zone around the survey vessel, and pass at minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.
3.2. The Spectrum 1
The Spectrum 1 (callsign: 2CQX3) will undertake geophysical operations at the Dublin Array site in water depths <7 metres on the Bray and Kish banks between 10 February and 17 March 2021 (weather permitting). Survey operations will be conducted on a 12-hour basis in Area 2 shown in Appendix 1.
As the Spectrum 1 will be towing survey equipment the vessel will require large turning circles and will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. All vessels operating within this area are requested to keep their distance, maintaining at least the 500m safety zone around the survey vessel, and pass at minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.
3.3. The Fugro Seeker
The Fugro Seeker (callsign: 2HCS2) will undertake geophysical operations at the Dublin Array site in the nearshore export route search area in water depths <7 metres between 13 March and 19 April 2021 (weather permitting). Survey operations will be conducted on a 12-hour basis in Area 1 shown in Appendix 1.
As the Fugro Seeker will be towing survey equipment the vessel will require large turning circles and will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. All vessels operating within this area are requested to keep their distance, maintaining at least the 500m safety zone around the survey vessel, and pass at minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.
3.4. The Fastnet Pelican
The Fastnet Pelican (callsign: 2FNX7) will undertake environmental operations on the Dublin Array site between 16 February and 12 March 2021 (weather permitting).
As the Fastnet Pelican will be deploying survey equipment from the vessel close to the seabed, the vessel will be required to hold station and conduct some short transect lines and will be therefore restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. All vessels operating within this area are requested to keep their distance, maintaining at least the 500m safety zone around the survey vessel, and pass at minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.
Survey operations will be conducted on a 12-hour basis in All Areas shown in Appendix 1.
4. Safety Information
Throughout survey operations, the vessels will be displaying the appropriate lights and shapes as required under the COLREGS Rule 27 (b).
5. Contact Details
Enquiries regarding the contents of this Marine Notice, or any other matters, should be directed to Fugro (survey contractor):
Sam Litchfield – Project Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7748 988 393
Email: s.litchfield@fugro.com
Simon Bicknell – Operations Manager
Mobile: +44 (0) 7557 585 280
Email: s.bicknell@fugro.com
For enquiries related to fishing, please contact the dedicated Fisheries Liaison Officer for the Dublin Array Offshore Wind Farm:
Mike Fitzpatrick – Fisheries Liaison Officer
Mobile: +353 (0) 86 858 4156
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